WILLIAM E. BELL

BELL, EMERSON, COURTRIGHT

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 10/12/2019 at 20:46:12

WILLIAM E. BELL, was born on the 26th day of April, 1838, in Morgan County, Ill. His father. John Bell, now living in Marion Township, and his mother, Jane Emerson, were born in England. They migrated to this country in 1837 and located in Morgan County.

March 13, 1840, Mr. Bell’s parents left Morgan County, and came to this county. At that time although the country was pretty thickly settled, yet it was comparatively new. Indians were among their nearest neighbors. Mr. Bell remembers seeing them quite often. His schooling was quite limited. With the exception of a term spent in West Point, his education was obtained in the common schools. At that time frame school-houses were unknown comforts. The youth, now our prominent men, were obliged to spend their few winter months in school in log cabins. In the latter part of his life, he has improved his mind by studying and reading at home. In this way he has cultivated his mind, and enriched it with thought and knowledge possessed by a very few. He takes a great interest in the literary societies that are extant at the present time. He has been an active member of several during the past years, and belongs to one at the present time. In 1860, on the 21st day of February, Mr. Bell and Minerva P. Courtright were joined in marriage. She is a native of Franklin County, Ohio. In 1851, her parents came to this county. By this union they have been blessed with a family of seven children, two sons and five daughters, all of whom are living. Politically, Mr. Bell is a Democrat. He is not what would be called a radical party man. In the county and minor elections his aim is to elect to office the men whom he knows are best fitted to fill the office for which they are candidates. Generally speaking, he has lead a retired life in the political field; content to let others enjoy the so-called honor of holding office. He and Mrs. Bell are members of the Granger’s organization.

Mr. Bell is extensively engaged in keeping bees. As an apiarian, he understands his subject as thoroughly as any other person in the country. By taking journals devoted to that subject, and by attending the conventions, he keeps himself posted in all matters relating to that art. His queens, of the pure Italian stock, are all imported. In consequence of sickness and the cold winter in 1872-3, he lost most of his stands. These he expects to replace, in due time, with pure Italians.

In 1864, Mr. Bell lost the use of one of his limbs, from the effects of disease. Since that time, not being able to engage in the more laborious work of the farm, his interest in bee-keeping has increased. He now lives in Franklin Township, on a good farm of two hundred and fifty acres, one hundred and forty of which is under cultivation. Besides this farm, he has one hundred acres in other locations. He has a good home a loving family, and in the prime of life, lives in good circumstances.

Source:
Illustrated Historical ATLAS of Lee County, IOWA
A. T. Andreas
Chicago, ILL.
1874

Transcription by Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer